Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities did not manifest within one year of service separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The current diagnoses are not related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both legs, and grants this benefit.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay assertions of noise exposure during service and continuity of symptoms since service were credible. The Board also found that his current tinnitus is likely due to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected due to in-service noise exposure. His cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities are not service connected as they pre-existed service or were not shown within one year of separation.

The Board has determined that the VA examination opinions are inadequate for rating purposes and that there is a need to obtain additional private treatment records, including those related to a Workers' Compensation claim. The appeal will be remanded to allow for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's appeal is not yet decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his residuals of a left shoulder injury and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of recent medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the Louisville RO. The issues of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected disability, and low back disorder as secondary to a service-connected disability are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and authorized examination reports. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder must also be addressed.

The Veteran died of an acute myocardial infarction caused by his willful misconduct of abusing prescription medication.,Neither service-connected bronchial asthma with COPD nor any other condition contributed to the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression with anxiety and mood disorder has been withdrawn. The Board grants service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, with degenerative changes and sciatic involvement.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder did not have its onset in service and is not related to a disease or injury incurred in active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA records and a need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck disability is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability in April 2007, and the Court upheld this decision. New evidence submitted since then does not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's left ankle strain/sprain and lumbar IVDS, with facet syndrome and radiculitis, are found to be related to service. The COPD is found to be due to a now service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating medical records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar spondylosis, which is secondary to his service-connected myofascial pain syndrome of the cervical spine, will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of various disabilities, including hearing loss, back disability, impotence, right shoulder disorder, bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, cervical spine/spinal cord condition, upper extremity disorders, and lower extremity disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her combined disability rating and other compensations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.